Pio Profile #1

Each week I am going to do what I am gonna call, the "Pio Profile" which is just a question and answer sesh with a different athlete. I think we have some really good teams/players that go unrecognized, plus it will be fun to hear about how the different teams practice, stories from road trips, pre-game rituals etc. So for the first ever inaugural Pio Profile, I figured it would make sense to talk with an athlete who is currently playing in the Fall season, so I talked to my good friend from the men's golf team, A.J. Warren. A.J. Is in his first year playing on the golf team, and played at THE Castro Valley High School prior to arriving with the Pioneer golf team this Fall. Here's what he had to say...

Question: What is the hardest part about transitioning from individual competition in the summer, to team play while in college?

A.J. : I think it's now that after the round there are teammates to pick me up if I play poorly or celebrate with if I do well, and also know that all my shots count for the team and are important no matter how poor I'm playing.

Q:Do you have any pre-shot rituals?

A.J.: Rituals? no, I do have a pre-shot routine, I always take a few practice swings til I feel comfortable.

Q: It has been rumored that Tiger Woods only uses 10 balls when he is at the range, because after he hits them, he runs and collects all of them, runs back, and takes 10 more swings, and repeats this while at the range. What is the craziest thing you have done/seen to practice?

A.J.: I have seen guys swing from their knees, I have actually done it too.

Q: How does this help?

A.J.: It helps make sure that your swing is on plane cause if it's not, you'll either miss the ball or hit the ground.

Q: Gotcha. Ok last question. I am really good at Tiger Woods golf, the video game and consistently shoot in the 60s, how will this translate to my real golf game and how long will it take me to get on the PGA Tour?

A.J. : It will make you an excellent golfer right now, and you should sign up for q school right now...

Thank you A.J. The men's team is headed up to Santa Rosa tomorrow where they will be playing the Sea Wolves of Sonoma State.